The scope of workplace wellbeing provision continues to broaden in 2020

The top five needs that employers are responding to are: women’s wellbeing, support for carers, money worries/financial concerns, sleep problems and social wellbeing, shows the Employee Wellbeing Research 2020 report, published by REBA in association with AXA PPP healthcare.

Women’s health is on the radar for the biggest number of organisations this year, with (26%) planning to address women’s wellbeing in 2020 as part of their overall strategy.

It’s indicative of the push towards ensuring the workplace is a level playing field for both sexes, in terms of pay and opportunity, the report says. “The way women’s wellbeing (for example, menopause, dealing with miscarriage, period pain) is managed at work is a key factor in supporting women to perform at their best.”

Aligned with that, since such a big proportion of carers are women, is support for carers, which 24% of employers have said they plan to introduce this year.

Meanwhile, the survey of 309 wellbeing, HR and employee benefits professionals demonstrates that sleep and financial wellbeing, which have seen a rise in popularity in the past three years, remain a priority. Both these non-workplace issues are shown to affect performance at work. A fifth (21%) of employers said they are going to deal with sleep problems and money concerns as part of their wellbeing package in 2020.

Mental health is also a persistent concern. While social wellbeing at work – the extent to which employees feel a sense of belonging and social inclusion – feeds into that, 39% of organisations have also identified mental health/resilience workshops as among particular initiatives set for the biggest expansion this year. Growth in this space will be key given the effect on employee mental health of COVID-19.

Download a copy of the 92-page Employee Wellbeing Research 2020 (free to REBA Professional Members).

The author is Rima Evans, freelance writer for REBA.